THE LEGENDARY BEASTS:
-The Legendary Beasts are thought to have died out centuries ago, fighting alongside the Eight Great Heroes that helped form Modern Castellia. Raikou, Entei & Suicune were large, predatory monsters that controlled pure elemental force, and were sacred to Wizards, particularly Elementalists. It was not until modern times that the creatures were resurrected at the dawning of a new era of heroes, where they might possibly aid the next generation against the dire threats they face.
Jab's Notes: These guys are the "Legendary Trio" of the second generation of Pokemon games, taking the place of Articuno, Zapdos & Moltres, including copying the Elemental Types and themed-builds (predatory mammals instead of birds). I was never particularly taken with their designs, as their odd head-dresses make them look a bit stunted and weird.

I think Entei has a decent look, Suicune is ok, but Raikou has always been very off putting to me.

-Suicine is the most lupine of the three Legendary Beasts, being a fast-moving creature that resembles a fox or wolf. He is associated with purifying water.Jab's Notes: Suicune is kind of like the Kirin of Eastern mythology, and Fujin, the Leopard-skin-wearing God of the Wind.

Complications:
Relationship (Megara)- Megara was forced to train a young Pent. Trading naiivete for a timid, frightened nature, Meg was cruel to him at first, while Pent near-openly worshipped her like a goddess. Eventually, Pent was able to win her over once he learned a few things about being a man.
Relationship (Mathias)- Mathias & Pent are old friends, being trained from a very young age by the leader of the Centaurian Lancers (Megara's father).
Rivalry (Wild Centaurs)- The Wild & Civilized Centaur sub-races are in great opposition to each other, though war has not broken out in generations. The Wild Centaurs view Pent's people as decadent and race-traitors, while most think Wild Centaurs are hedonistic, backwards and uncivilized. Both distrust each other on sight.

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 50--25 / Advantages: 27 / Powers: 13 / Defenses: 12 (117)Jab's Notes: Pent is just another Centaur on the team, and a more positive example of the race- he's lower-level than Megara, and has no Magic Weapons, but is still a solid fighter.

THE LEGENDARY BEASTS:
-The Legendary Beasts are thought to have died out centuries ago, fighting alongside the Eight Great Heroes that helped form Modern Castellia. Raikou, Entei & Suicune were large, predatory monsters that controlled pure elemental force, and were sacred to Wizards, particularly Elementalists. It was not until modern times that the creatures were resurrected at the dawning of a new era of heroes, where they might possibly aid the next generation against the dire threats they face.
Jab's Notes: These guys are the "Legendary Trio" of the second generation of Pokemon games, taking the place of Articuno, Zapdos & Moltres, including copying the Elemental Types and themed-builds (predatory mammals instead of birds). I was never particularly taken with their designs, as their odd head-dresses make them look a bit stunted and weird.

Legendary Beasts? This is where to find them.

I've learned to live every day like I was dying; every night I stick a catheter in me and scream for morphine.

Complications:
Motivation (Frost Giant Treasures)- Some items from her family's treasury were brought along as a dowry of sorts when she was to be married- when they were stolen during the Gallean attack, Tessera was forced by law to attempt to return them. She also much avenge her fiancee, even though she didn't like him.
Responsibility (Temper)- A true Nordic Barbarian, Tessera is prone to intense bouts of Rage, and finds it very difficult to stop hitting things once she really gets going. This can be dangerous to her allies, or for those who wish for stealth or subtlety.
Weakness (Frost Giant)- Like all Frost Giants, Tessera is weaker against Fire & Heat Effects than other attacks.
Relationship (Leland)- The bookish and odd young Wizard annoyed and disgusted the powerful Tessera at first, but they eventually grew closer

-Tessera is one of the many children of Stomrvald, the King of the Grimmsvell Frost Giants. A full-blooded royal, her mother was the Princess of a Human tribe under the Giants' dominion, and was made to be one of Stomrvald's harem as part of an alliance. Her mother (who could be transformed via Alchemy into a Frost Giant-sized woman) died years ago, but it appeared that she was not an unfavourable woman to her husband- she was one of his favourite wives. Even so, her Human blood ensured that Tessera would never attain full power in the Frost Giant hierarchy. In fact, her small size (a mere 7'4") all but guaranteed her a position as a woman-pawn to be married off to another Human Kingdom as yet another alliance measure. Tessera worshipped her father, and was mortified beyond belief that she was sent from her beloved homeland, and forced to marry some young Prince from Marsellia, to forge an alliance in case of a Gallean attack (Gallea is between Marsellia and the Grimmsvell, but can be reached by sea).

-It was in Marsellia that she met this wispy, frail boy, and she was immediately disgusted. But still, she had to obey her father, and brought along a few Frost Giant treasures as part of a dowry. However, the night before their wedding, the Gallean Army made it's attack, and the Prince was killed, and the dowry stolen. Out of honour and Frost Giant Law, Tessera was now forced to attempt vengeance, and to get the treasures back. To do this, she allied with The Light Brigade, though her arrogance and temper often made her the least-liked party member. She bickered with Leland (the Mage reminded her of the Prince, and the weakness of Human Men in general), and was usually the first to foolishly attack, but the rest of the gang got used to her.

Jab's Notes: Every party needs a "Leeroy Jenkins", and every part needs a super-hot chick from another race (extra points for a different type of skin colouration than humans get- I made Tessera snow-white, because blue skin almost seems TOO "out there"). Combine the two and you get a unique character, especially if she's Half-Giant (I figure most half-breeds would be around the size of the mother, not merely a mix of both parents, so she merely looks like an Amazon, and isn't 11 feet tall or anything). Any fetishistic things that can be made from this aren't my problem .

Combine the two and you get a unique character, especially if she's Half-Giant (I figure most half-breeds would be around the size of the mother, not merely a mix of both parents, so she merely looks like an Amazon, and isn't 11 feet tall or anything). Any fetishistic things that can be made from this aren't my problem

Ill take 2 please

Dr. Silverback has wryly observed that this is like trying to teach lolcats about Shakespeare

Complications:
Relationship (Jarrel)- The two are best friends and allies, and are extremely loyal to each other. BUT THAT'S THE END OF IT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Motivation (Questing Stereotypes)- Like most Questers, Jarrel & Learic are in it for money, fame and ladies. It isn't until much later, after facing down some truly evil foes, and getting to know their teammates, that the pair become devout members of The Light Brigade.
Power Loss (Crossbow)- Crossbow's require a significant amount of time & skill to operate- they can only fire once per round if one's hands are free. They are also prone to jamming and bolt-shortages. No simple Bow & Arrow, even getting dirty could affect it negatively.

Complications:
Relationship (Learic)- The two are best friends and allies, and are extremely loyal to each other. BUT THAT'S THE END OF IT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Motivation (Questing Stereotypes)- Like most Questers, Jarrel & Learic are in it for money, fame and ladies. It isn't until much later, after facing down some truly evil foes, and getting to know their teammates, that the pair become devout members of The Light Brigade.

Jab's Notes: Learic & Jarrel sort of represent the "Han Solo" archetype in the overall story- standard greedy Mercenaries, they act as comic relief in their own way, as well as representing the more experienced, worldly hands when compared to the naiive kids (Pent, Leland & Mathias), crazy people (Tessera), or orderly military types (Megara). Chances are, if somebody has some piece of information about a wild character, a type of monster, or a Kingdom, it'll be these two. I also use the pair to "deflate" the old Fantasy stereotypes, as Jarrel is a beardless Dwarf you uses numerous weapons (Axe AND Sword), and is best friends with a happy-go-lucky, bearded Elf who uses a Crossbow and wears Heavy Armour.

Complications:
Power Loss (Magic)- Zach must be able to gesture and speak to cast spells. He also requires a Ruby Staff to cast spells without being forced to roll on the Miscast Table if he gets a "1".
Relationship (Tessera)- They bicker, as couples are wont to do. She's also much stronger physically than his is, and demands strength, which becomes an issue.

-Zach is a Court Magician, trained since childhood (where he showed some latent magical tendencies, such as manipulating fire or heat) under the typical Marsellian systems for the Schools of Magic. In dealing with the distrust and isolation Mages typically acquire, he grew very distant and studious in his ways, avoiding much contact with the outside world. This left him very intelligent, but a bit clueless socially. He developed a rivalry with Iselande, the King's daughter, and a hero-worship of the Chairmaster of the Schools, who drove him mercilessly in his learnings. Eventually, upon the Gallean invasion, Zach was to begin his 'final stage' of training- field applications. With most of the other Mages busy, he was given the dangerous mission of allying with the Light Brigade's search for the Royal Crown.

-Zach underwent many problems initially. Frail and weak physically, and needing time to cast his spells, he was very limited in combat, and had to be protected by his comrades, which disgusted Tessera, a strong barbarian obsessed with might. Lacking courage and self-esteem, Leland was a liability at first, but eventually developed much greater levels of power. Eventually, he and Tessera found love, though still she taunted him.

Jab's Notes: There's some rule that says all Mages need to be wussies, unless you make them quasi-Gods or Bladesingers or whatever. I figure Zach here would start off as a weakling, but thanks to his super-huge girlfriend, he'd gain in talent so that he was at least a half-assed Warrior. He also takes a role as the team's key Blaster (along with Gregory the Ranger). He can also use a Force Field, but only as an Alternate Effect- he's REALLY below his defensive caps if he's Blasting away, as all good Mages should be.

-Boone was once a Human Warrior- a generic soldier with no real outstanding features. When he was part of a Village Defense Group that was slain by Obsidiaris, the Troll Necromancer, he was raised as a Skeleton as part of an ever-growing army of personal guards for the madman. As part of a horde, he attacked The Light Brigade, and most of his "allies" were turned or destroyed. In order to gain information about the Troll's next move, the Brigade tried to question the Skeletons. Using an improvised Magic Spell from Princess Isabella's White Magic, they inadvertently returned Boone's sentience to him! This unheard-of act gave him back certain memories, and they grew over time. Out of gratitude to the heroes, and because he had nowhere else to go (his family, who he was remembering more and more, surely couldn't accept his new form), Boone joined the Brigade on their mission.

-Not overly competent, and not much good in a fight, Boone was nonetheless loyal. Without a designated lock-picker or Thief-type, the Brigade discovered a handy use for Boone at least- As a creature immune to poisons, most drains, and certain types of damage, Boone made an ideal trap-tripper and thief!Jab's Notes: A fun little idea I had- I always hated having to drag along Thieves & Rogues in Video Games (it's one more guy who's only iffy at fighting, and can only "Unlock Doors" and junk), so I made him kind of a Butt-Monkey, but in a sad way (the whole "lost family" bit).

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Cubone cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.
Obsession (Mothers)- Cubones instinctively know of the death of their own mother, and will do whatever it takes to gain access to her corpse, and wear her skull as helmet. They will kill, die and suffer in order to do this.

-The distinctive "Cubone" is a bipedal reptilian species which has evolved to be able to use a hand weapon, much like the Kamonegi (Farfetch'd) of the High Elven lands. Though possessing only animal-level intelligence, the creatures maintain the opposable thumbs, 3-D vision and accuracy required to throw objects as if they were boomerangs. Typically, the creatures utilize a curved bone, such as a rib or limb-bone, wielding them as ranged weapons to better take down avian prey.

-Most notable, however, are the funerary rituals of the creatures- a Cubone knows instinctively when its own mother dies. As such, it takes great effort to reach the location of its parent's death and, if possible, takes the mother's skull and places it around their own head as a permanent helmet- as they grow, its own head will literally merge with the skull, becoming one. Captive or pet Cubones are known to become implacable with regard to this, and have died from the strain of captivity. A Cubone has never failed in locating its own mother's corpse. If more than one child exist, the first one to the corpse wins the skull- the others will make do with the other bones.

-On one notable island, Cubones have evolved to enable fire creation on their mothers' bones, turning their "Bonerangs" into flaming weapons that do extra damage.

Jab's Notes: This one's origin is pure "WHAT THE SHIT, POKEMON DESIGNERS?". See, Cubone's distinctive skull-helmet is supposed to be thee THE SKULL OF ITS OWN DEAD MOTHER, and the in-game information contains information about the creature's mournful crying! Like, SERIOUSLY??? Despite this fame, Cubone is not a super-competitive Pokemon, and possesses very few Ground-type moves- really, this thing seems designed to be part of the "Normal" group, but possesses many unique bone-related maneuvers. Cubone is in a similar group with Grimer/Muk, Voltorb/Electrode and others, that have a pretty plain, generic evolution that's simply "The same, but kinda bigger", as Marowak is simply a taller, more-streamlined, less-cute version of Cubone. It evolves up at Level 28- pretty typical for the "Mid-Tier" Pokemon- anything higher than that is usually very competitive and quite powerful.

-Cubone had a notably interestin debut in the Anime series, as like Sandshrew, it got a "focus episode" in which it took on Ash's Pikachu, though in this case, Cubone was defeated. Its appearances in the show after that were strictly minor. Despite that, a Ghost Marowak is an important plot-pointed in the original video game, as the ghost of the creature killed by Team Rocket appears as the "Boss" of a haunted mansion- you must avenge the orphaned Cubone.

Yea, I always found Cubone to be pretty cute, even if he is wearing the bones of a dead relative.

Though the initial story is sad and a great part of the game, it does bring up some questions about the Cubone species as a whole. How does Cubone's mother keep dying so they can take their mother's skulls? What happens if the mother lives? If the mother is always expected to die, then how is the species not rapidly dying off? There are a couple fan theories trying to explain it. The most popular one is that Cubones were originally supposed to be orphaned Kangaskhans. Or that they're actually abandoned Charmanders that never got there tails lit.

I've been too much into Pokemons, but Cubone is a design I found incredibly endearing, in spite of the creepy notes.

Also, Jab, I'd like to know why you hae issue with Rogue style characters in games. Usually I find them very useful.

I just didn't care for the idea of a "Skill Class" that wasn't good at fighting, and was really there for artificial stuff that the GM/game had to include if you had a Rogue, just to make them useful. Particularly in video games, where character slots were limited, and sometimes you were forced to bring along a guy who could unlock chests & doors instead of more Fighter/Mage-themed characters.